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Date: May 2, 2005
Contact: Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford
V: 847/742-5100 F:  847/742-6103
E-MAIL: CoBNews@AOL.Com

CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN	NEWSLINE
May 2, 2005

CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN MEMBERSHIP FALLS AGAIN IN  2004

May 2, 2005 (Elgin, IL) -- Overall Church of the  Brethren
membership continued to decline in 2004, according to  year-end
figures collected by the "Church of the Brethren  Yearbook,"
published by Brethren Press. The denomination reported a net  loss
of 1,280 members last year, down just under one percent from  the
previous year. It is, however, a smaller decline than in 2003,	when
the Church of the Brethren had a net loss of 1,363  members.

Reported membership for the Church of the Brethren in the US  and
Puerto Rico is now 131,201. The figure does not include membership
of  Brethren bodies in other countries, including Nigeria, Brazil,
and the  Dominican Republic.

In the US, seven districts reported a net increase in  2004, while
16 saw a decrease. Atlantic Southeast District had the	largest
percentage increase, up 2.3 percent (a net gain of 44  members).
Mid-Atlantic District had the largest numerical gain, with a  net
increase of 57 members (0.57 percent). The districts of Idaho,	West
Marva, Michigan, Northern Ohio, and Oregon/Washington also  reported
gains.

The middle and western parts of the denomination  reported the
biggest declines, with Missouri/Arkansas District down a net  12.9
percent, Southern Plains down 8.62 percent, and Pacific  Southwest
down 5.17 percent. All four Pennsylvania districts and both  Indiana
districts also reported declines, however, some exceeding  2
percent. Atlantic Northeast, the denomination's largest district,
had  the largest reported numerical decline, with a net loss of 217
members (1.44  percent).

The number of full congregations decreased by one, to 1,024,  but
the number of fellowships and projects increased from 37 to  44,
suggesting a burst of new church plants. Total reported  average
worship attendance remained nearly steady from a year earlier,	at
67,591 per week.

"Yearbook" figures are based on data provided by  congregations that
turn in updated statistical reports; 71 percent did so for  2004.
Denominational membership has declined every year since 1974,  and
has been on a downward trend since the early 1960s.

The "Church of	the Brethren Yearbook" lists contact information and
statistics for the  congregations, districts, and agencies of the
denomination, as well as  related Brethren organizations and church
staff. The 2005 edition will be  available soon from Brethren
Press--call 800-441-3712.

The Church of  the Brethren is a Christian denomination committed to
continuing the work of	Jesus peacefully and simply, and to living
out its faith in community. The  denomination is based in the
Anabaptist and Pietist faith traditions and is	one of the three
Historic Peace Churches. It celebrates its 300th anniversary  in
2008. It counts about 130,000 members across the United States	and
Puerto Rico, and has missions and sister churches in Brazil,  the
Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Nigeria.

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For more  information contact:

Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford
Director of News  Services
Church of the Brethren General Board
1451 Dundee Ave.
Elgin,	IL 60120
847-742-5100 ext.  260
cbrumbaugh-cayford_gb@brethren.org

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The  Church of the Brethren Newsline is produced by Cheryl
Brumbaugh-Cayford,  director of news services for the Church of the
Brethren General Board.  Newsline stories may be reprinted provided
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